KOROR, Palau—Solar power generated by Solar Pacific Energy Corporation, an independent power producer, is now supplementing the national grid, according to the Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC).
On March 14, “we shut down two diesel generators for six hours and used energy produced by the solar plant to supplement the energy produced by the remaining generators,” said Anthony Rudimch, a PPUC representative.
The ability to reduce reliance on diesel fuel depends on weather conditions, Rudimch added. The solar project includes batteries, but they are designed to stabilize power fluctuations throughout the day, not for nighttime use.
“Unlike rooftop solar panels, which can fluctuate, the utility-scale system has batteries to ensure consistent power,” Rudimch explained.
PPUC is nearing the issuance of a commercial operation certificate (COC) to Palau Solar Inc. after a year of testing and commissioning the project. The focus has been on ensuring equipment and hardware function properly, with software improvements ongoing.
“Based on current progress, commissioning could be completed as early as next month,” Rudimch said.
The construction of the solar farm and plant was completed on June 2, 2023, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The connection to the grid occurred on July 18, 2023. The following months were spent testing the plant’s reliability.
This March 14th marked a significant step as PPUC successfully used solar power to supplement the grid for the first time.